KOTA KINABALU, Nov 12 – Patients had to be evacuated from the Papar district hospital here last night after parts of its building caught fire.

The Fire and Rescue Services Department Papar district chief Rozlan Osman said the pharmacy’s medical storage building measuring 50x25 feet (15x8 metres) completely burned down while the adjacent laboratory building was affected by the heat and fumes.

The incident occurred at about 7pm and both the hospital’s emergency response team and personnel from the fire department managed to put out the fire by 8.46pm.

Water sources were obtained from the fire engine and the nearest fire hydrant.

"Our Hazmat team inspected the fire site and confirmed no hazards involving chemicals, radioactive materials, or toxic gases. Overhaul operations are still ongoing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the health ministry was focusing all its resources to ensuring the safety of all patients and hospital staff.

"I have also been informed that no casualties were reported. The necessary evacuations have been successfully carried out, including to nearby hospitals,” he said.

Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that temporary tents were set up nearby during the evacuation.

"As of 11pm, Bomba have successfully extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire will be investigated thoroughly. Thankfully, there were no casualties, and affected patients have already been relocated to other wards.

"Starting tomorrow, for the time being, the Papar Parliamentary Office will continue to provide food and drink until the hospital is able to arrange food supplies for patients through external providers, as the hospital’s food preparation kitchen was also impacted by this fire,” he said.